Can Comprising a First, Dispense Opening and Second, Vent Opening

Abstract

A can for containing a liquid having a top end is disclosed. The top end has (a) a dispense area defined by a first score line and (b) a pull tab coupled to the top end by a first rivet. The pull tab punctures the dispense area to open a dispense aperture upon lifting an actuating end of the pull tab. The top end has (c) a vent area defined by a second score line and (d) a secondary lever coupled to the top end by a second rivet, and has a puncturing end for puncturing the vent area to open a vent aperture upon lifting an opposite, actuating end of the secondary lever. The secondary lever and pull tab interlock so lifting the actuating end of the pull tab triggers lifting of the actuating end of the secondary lever, opening both dispensing and vent apertures in a single movement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to the field of cans for containing a liquid. In particular, it concerns beverage cans, such as beer, soda, tonic and the like, comprising a first dispensing aperture and a second vent aperture, wherein both apertures can be opened in a single movement.BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION[0002]Beverage cans have been on the market for several decades, undergoing a series of evolutions, such as the progressive passage from a “detachable pull tab,” wherein a closed loop scored section is coupled to a pull tab, to a “push-in tab” type, wherein no element is detached from the can upon opening. Since in both instances an actuating end of a tab must be pulled off the plane formed by the can top end to open a dispense area, such tabs are herein referred to indiscriminately as “pull tabs”.[0003]Rapidly, it appeared that cans comprising a single, dispense aperture leads to gurgling of the beverage, due to the difficulty for such systems to balance t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In order to further enhance the flow rate of liquid out of the can the dispense area has a dimension (d) along the diameter of the top end passing by the first rivet greater or equal to the radius (R) of the top end.

Problems solved by technology

Rapidly, it appeared that cans comprising a single, dispense aperture leads to gurgling of the beverage, due to the difficulty for such systems to balance the pressures inside and outside the can upon dispensing.

These systems, however, have the problem that the vent can be accidentally opened in case a pressure is applied onto the tab.

All these systems have in common that several movements are required to open both dispense and vent

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